Whenever you do something without thinking about it, you say “well that is as easy as breathing.” This is because most of the day, you don’t have to think about the air your body is taking in. Breathing in and out is just a normal part of life and how you function. Clean, healthy air is something you may take for granted. However, if you are dealing with issues with your ventilation or indoor air HVAC system, you may start seeing experiencing some negative effects. Poor air quality can end up having a dramatic impact on your life at home or at the workplace.
Indoor air quality is typically something you shouldn’t have to worry about. Air filters and ducts are supposed to catch indoor air pollution and prevent an excess of carbon dioxide. The best way to guarantee your indoor air is safe to breathe is with updated HVAC units, clean vents, and fresh air filters. Otherwise, you may experience problems with your overall health, lowered productivity levels, or added stress or fatigue. Let’s take a closer look at these effects of poor air quality so you can prevent these issues before they start.
- Toxins can lower productivity.
Breathing in toxic air isn’t necessarily something you will notice right away. The effects can sometimes be subtle or become exacerbated over time. Even small problems like getting a headache from inhaling toxins can lower your motivation and drive. Whether you work from home or in an office, poor indoor air can lower employee productivity. When you are feeling sick or drowsy, you won’t be able to focus or work as hard. These pollutants around you that you don’t even notice can cause employee productivity to go out the window because everyone is focused on feeling sick. This can be especially disruptive if employees require medical care from the contaminants in the air. Investing in good indoor air quality can save money for you or your employees because it avoids the threat of fatigue or illness.
- Your allergies may start acting up.
When you think about seasonal allergies, you usually think of the outdoor air rather than indoor pollution causing the problem. While pollen may not make its way inside, contaminants like dust or other indoor toxins can irritate your allergies. This can be especially bad for individuals who also have asthma. Poor indoor air quality may include extra humidity or chemical pollutants in the air that will irritate a delicate immune system.
- It’s normal to feel fatigued or extra stressed.
The oxygen you breathe is your fuel. If this air is polluted or tainted, it may end up taking your energy from you. It’s normal to feel extra fatigued or stressed when you are breathing in unhealthy or toxic air. Work to replace filters or get better HVAC units so you can monitor your airflow and avoid those feelings of tiredness and anxiety. Your home already has a lot of places where you could get hurt or experience problems like the most common injuries in kitchens or slips in the bathtub. Feeling anxious about your air should not be something you’re worried about.
- Prolonged exposure can cause serious health risks.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should work to improve your air quality right away. Prolonged exposure to toxins in your air can cause more serious health risks. You may end up dealing with cardiovascular or respiratory issues or even cancer. Not to mentioned extended periods of intense mood changes or anxiety. Work to resolve air issues as soon as you notice a difference. It will make a big difference for the future of your overall health.